Of all the things you can imagine happening, it seems like a retailer surprising you with money is right up there with unicorns flying into your backyard to have a tea party. But that’s what happened to one Costco member who was shocked to get money back from the beloved warehouse chain — without requesting it.
In a Reddit thread titled “Kudos to Costco,” u/BakingMadman explained what happened. “The week before [Black Friday] I purchased a 65″ LG C5 that they had on sale.” Seems like it would have been prudent to wait a week for Black Friday sales to make that purchase, but Costco proved it didn’t matter in the end.
“After I bought it, I received an email from Costco stating they had negotiated a better price for the TV from LG and they included a Costco Shop Card for $100. I was shocked they just did this.” Hot dang, that’s every shopper’s dream. But wait: there’s more!
The Redditor explained that the Black Friday price of the TV was $50 less than what they paid. “Tonight I received ANOTHER email and an additional $50 Shop Card… I am still in shock that I did not have to go and request any type of price match.”
‘Costco Is My Inspiration on How to Do Business’
The responses to u/BakingMadman’s situation were just as delighted as the original poster. “Imagine a world where corporations weren’t laser focused on extracting every single damn penny from everyone,” said one commenter. That’d be a beautiful world, indeed.
“Costco is my inspiration on how to do business,” said another, echoing comments that this is a great example of how to keep customers long term, instead of treating retail like a get-rich-quick scheme for shareholders.
Other Costco members chimed in with the same experience. “I bought the same TV,” said one Redditor. “Like you said it dropped $100 a couple of weeks later and a $100 Costco shop card pops up in my email. A couple weeks later it drops another $50 and I get a $50 card. How cool is that?”
“I bought a 77” LG TV and they emailed me and gave me a $400 Costco shop card!,” responded another. “I’m a Costco shopper for life!”
Costco’s Price Adjustment Policy, Explained
So what’s actually going on here? This is part of Costco’s price adjustment policy — and, believe it or not, it’s standard operating procedure.
If an item that you purchase from Costco sells for less than you bought it for within 30 days, the company will refund you the difference. They only do this with their own prices, though, and do not price match to other retailers, like some stores do.
That’s why many of these price adjustments are sent out to customers automatically. The company’s computer tracks purchases and prices and sends out adjustments as necessary.
If you notice that the price of an item you bought at Costco dropped within 30 days of buying it, you can also request a “price match” on Costco’s website directly. That’s one seriously great perk of being a Costco member.
More Costco Stories on Cheapism
- Everything You Need To Know About the Return Policy at Costco — Costco’s return policy is forgiving, but there are still some rules and exceptions you need to know.
- Prepared for Anything? These Costco and Sam’s Club Emergency Supplies Belong in Every Home — From toiletries and food to more specialized emergency supplies such as generators, here are some safe-not-sorry buys to consider.
- ‘God, I Love This Place’: Costco Members Pledge Allegiance to the Store After It Sues Trump — After Costco sued the Trump administration over billions in tariffs, many members are ready to swear fealty to the big red-and-blue temple of bulk goods.
